New Bedford Man Sentenced in Nephew’s Fatal Stabbing

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A New Bedford man has been sentenced to up to 17.5 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of his nephew.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced that Juan Padilla Santana pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court on May 6 to manslaughter after he had initially been indicted on a charge of second degree murder.

On August 24, 2024, New Bedford Police were called to 68 South Street, Apartment 41, for a reported stabbing. They arrived to find the victim, Omil Padilla Corsino, 23, suffering from stab wounds. He was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased a short time later.

How the Fatal New Bedford Stabbing Happened

The investigation revealed Padilla Corsino lived in that apartment with his girlfriend, his girlfriend’s mother, and his uncle. That uncle was the suspect, Padilla Santana, who had recently moved to New Bedford from Puerto Rico.

The victim and defendant had been arguing earlier in the day, which led to a physical altercation in the apartment. Witnesses told police that the nephew initiated the physical fight, but that when the two were separated, the nephew was suffering from two stab wounds, which caused him to collapse.

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Evidence and Conflicting Statements

The uncle fled to his bedroom, where police later found a knife.

“The defendant gave conflicting accounts of what had transpired to police and the two female witnesses, indicating they did not see the stabbing,” the D.A.’s Office said.

D.A. Quinn Comments on the Case

"This was a senseless act of violence which occurred during a physical confrontation that was initiated by the victim,” Quinn said. “There was evidence of prior animosity between the two parties but no evidence that the victim possessed a weapon. The defendant made false and misleading statements to police during the investigation.”